Regular and robust population surveillance of levels of physical inactivity is fundamental to guiding country implementation of GAPPA policy; tracking progress towards targets; and assessing the impact of physical activity on NCD prevention and other health, environmental and societal goals. WHO works to monitor physical activity in the following ways:

WHO supports Member States on national surveillance by providing guidance on instruments and protocols to use for measuring physical inactivity and where needed provides direct technical assistance in data collection, reporting and dissemination: For example, for adults, WHO guidance on measurement of PA is provided within the WHO NCD ‘Stepwise’ monitoring approach with the core module comprising the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). The GPAQ tool includes data collection templates, training, and analytic guides are available. The Global school-based student health survey (GSHS) helps countries measure and assess the behavioural risk factors and protective factors in 10 key areas, including physical activity, among young people aged 13 to 17 years.

WHO looks for opportunities to strengthen surveillance and fill gaps. Current gaps include the measurement of physical activity in children aged 10 and under and the measurement of sedentary behaviors in all age groups. This work involves reviewing the latest science; convening experts;  and exploring innovations.  Currently, WHO is examining the role of wearable digital devices in the measurement of physical activity in national surveillance

WHO develops global prevalence estimates of physical inactivity by collating comparable national data sets. These data are valuable for understanding global, regional, and national trends; for identifying disparities in populations such as gender, age and income; for prioritization and planning of WHO and stakeholder work; and for evaluating efforts.